I ... entered the poem of life, whose purpose is ... simply to witness the beauties of the world,to discover the many forms that love can take. (Barabara Blackman in 'Glass After Glass')

Some of these poems are autobiographical, some are entirely fictional, and some are a mixture of both. The intention is art rather than self-expression. I don't allow factual details to get in the way of poetry! (I do seek emotional truth.)

They are works in progress, and may be subject to revision without notice. Completed versions appear in my books. Nevertheless copyright applies to all texts found here.

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Thank you for your comments. I read and appreciate them all, and reply here to specific points that seem to need it — or as I have the leisure. Otherwise I reciprocate by reading and commenting on your posts as much as possible.

29 October 2011

Streams of Consciousness

high above ocean

on this piece of the hill

this peaceful hill

always had to

sit up straighter

speak when spoken

the little girls playing

across the road

laugh together

she had a language

of private gestures

quick faces made

in the yard opposite

swings and guinea-pigs

crowd

cross your legs

at the ankles

don’t laugh out loud

expansive sunlight fills

the wide circle

of the cul-de-sac

that’s dangerous

unladylike

don’t be silly

Amanda yells to her kids

her smile is wide

her stance open

grown awkward

I returned home

less and less often

at night I gaze

from my vantage

the street rests unafraid

For a dVerse exercise on conflation: expanding one poem with another which is unrelated. I chose to weave my two threads in and out of each other. I’m not sure it’s a true conflation; it could be said that there’s a relationship of contrast. And of course the title is slightly ironic; this is not a 'stream of consciousness' poem in the usual sense.

The picture you paint with your words has colour and clarity.I love the simple stanza structure, it adds beautifully to the simplicity, and as you read the story slowly comes into sharp focus.Wonderful!